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camp yogi

this week the boys and i met wenji (my mom) and my nephews at yogi bear camp near houston. the idea was for the grandkids to have a fun, wenji-rules week away from home. when mom's friend backed out, i volunteered to step in. my nephews agreed that i was cool enough to come.

to call this week a camping experience is a bit of a stretch. we've slept in an air conditioned cabin with satellite tv access. plus i am wireless-ly blogging in the laundry room! there is a fun water park sort of thing here, with extra shallow water and lots of slides. another proper pool, maximum four feet deep, is nearby. there is an outdoor cinema; first night was cars; last night was the pacifier. needless to say, james was thrilled.

last night we grilled hamburgers and hotdogs by the fire. none of us knew how to start a proper fire with wood-- i'm a gas or charcoal guy myself-- but mom invited a guy from the cabin next to us. for the next hour or so, he coached all of us on the skills of firestarting. turns out when he is not deployed (staff sergeant in the army, going back to iraq soon) he's a boy scout master. the boys loved hearing about his war wounds.

we're home again tomorrow. it's been a fun experience, but i'm not sure it'll be a continuing thing for me. there's only so much sun, water, and fun i can take!

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